legendary midfielder

Chapter 51 I Want to Try It!
After spending a happy New Year's Eve with Nicola, Zhang Xu returned to the intense preparations again.

January 1 was originally the No.28 eighth round of the league, but because Sheffield United successfully eliminated their opponents in the last FA Cup match and entered the fourth round, therefore, the league on the 20th was changed to an FA Cup match with the English Championship team Birmingham.

There is no doubt that Birmingham is strong and has a large number of stars. Although most of them are abandoned players from wealthy teams, their strength is beyond doubt.Famous stars such as Upson, Melchiot, Pennant, Butt, Husky, Dunn, etc. have all joined this team.

Although the strength has declined after the Hong Kong tycoon Yang Jiacheng took a stake in Birmingham, there are still a group of main players of the national team such as the main defender Jonathan of the US national team and the high center forward Zikic of Senegal.

Therefore, in this FA Cup game, even though it is a home game, the Sheffield United team is not very optimistic.Moreover, head coach Wilson made the decision to abandon the FA Cup in order to allow the team to fully attack the English Championship.

No matter what decision Wilson makes, Zhang Xu still trains conscientiously, always preparing for the next game.

The day before the match against Birmingham, Wilson announced the starting lineup for tomorrow's match against Birmingham, Zhang Xu's name is impressive.

Afterwards, Wilson found Zhang Xu on purpose and explained why he arranged for him to start: "Zhang, tomorrow's game against Birmingham, you will start as the starter, which is considered to be a chance for you to make an official debut in front of the fans! How about it?"

"Thank you, boss, I will cherish this opportunity!" Zhang Xu thought that Wilson hoped that he would play well tomorrow, and quickly said that there was no problem.

"Uh, zhang, don't pay too much attention to the result of the game. I think it's okay even if we lose. We have to focus on the league!" Seeing Zhang Xu's eager expression, Wilson couldn't help but blush and explained embarrassingly.

Zhang Xu was a little confused, and it was hard for him to understand what Wilson said.game?Isn't it just for the pursuit of victory?Is it okay to lose?How could there be nothing?

Birmingham?Even if you are the British Championship team, I must fight to the end with you!Zhang Xu silently swears in his heart.

On this day, January 1, although the weather was cold, it still couldn't stop the crazy enthusiasm of the fans.At 28:01 in the afternoon, the Bramall Lane Stadium was overcrowded. Countless Blades fans wearing red jerseys rendered the entire stadium into a sea of ​​red.

Before the start of the game, the head coach Wilson randomly arranged the tactics, and then emphasized two points: one is to feel and experience, to feel the strong strength of Birmingham, to understand the gap between our Sheffield United team and the strong teams, and to learn from the game as much as possible; the second is to protect and be safe, protect yourself, try not to do some easy-to-injury actions, and also to prevent your opponents from hurting you.

At this time, even a fool can understand the intention of the head coach Wilson, who intends to give up the game to train the team.

In fact, Zhang Xu didn't agree with it very much in his heart. In his dictionary, there is no word to take the initiative to admit defeat, but since the head coach has confessed to this level, he can't refute it in person, right?

If you can't refute it in person, then discuss it in private.

Therefore, after his teammates walked out of the locker room, Zhang Xu deliberately went to head coach Wilson and said in a low voice, "Boss, I want to try!"

"Try what?" Wilson was puzzled.

"I want to see how far I am from the players in Birmingham. I want to fight, but I'm not reconciled if I don't fight! Is it okay?"

Wilson was silent. He looked at Zhang Xu seriously, and found that his eyes were full of burning fighting intent. He couldn't help sighing, and said, "Okay, but you have to promise me one thing."

"It's great, tell me, boss, I will definitely do it!" Zhang Xu was so excited that he quickly agreed.

"I want you to promise me that no matter what, you won't get hurt!"

"There is no problem!" Zhang Xu patted his thick chest and said loudly: "Boss, it's not me who blows it up. With my physique, no one who can hurt me has yet to be born!"

"You brat, hurry up! The game is about to start!" Wilson kicked Zhang Xu with a smile and cursed.

At [-]:[-] in the afternoon, under the leadership of head coach Wilson, Zhang Xu came to the field alone to have the first home meeting with the fans.

The on-site commentator Robin gave a detailed introduction to Zhang Xu's situation very cooperatively, and then sent the microphone to Zhang Xu.

Zhang Xu took the microphone handed over by the staff and said loudly: "Dear fans, I am Zhang Xu, from China. You can call me Zhang from China, or you can call me Zhang directly!"

"I am honored to join Sheffield United in this cold winter! Although the weather is cold, my heart is burning because I am already in a sea of ​​red!"

"To be honest, I am very excited now, because I met a strong opponent—Birmingham for the first time I met everyone! The opponent is indeed very strong, but so what, I will not give in just because the opponent is strong, because I have become a member of the blade! I can proudly say: I am the blade, and I-I am fearless!"

Zhang Xu's last words immediately conquered all the fans of the Blades, and the cheers of the fans immediately sounded in the sky above Bramall Lane: I am the Blades, and I am - fearless!

Amid the cheers of the fans, Zhang Xu took the footballs handed over by the staff one by one, and kicked the footballs to the surrounding stands one by one.

So far, the meeting ceremony is all over.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, with the whistle of the referee, the game officially began!
At the beginning of the game, Birmingham launched a fierce offensive against Sheffield United relying on their strong frontcourt attack.

In the 7th minute, Charlton No. 7 Chris took the ball, and after cooperating with No. 12 Jordan, he rushed past Michael's defense, crossed the center line, and advanced towards the area defended by Zhang Xu.

Williams was the first to rush up, intending to control the opponent's offensive momentum, but No. 7 Chris didn't pay attention to him. He cooperated with Jordan again, and it was another two to one, and Williams who was approaching was thrown off.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhang Xu rushed up immediately, but he did not rush forward like Williams did, but kept a certain distance from the opponent, and faintly got stuck in the opponent's passing route.

Chris changed his pace several times and found that he couldn't get rid of Zhang Xu, so he had to give the football to Keith behind him.After Keith received the ball, he made a long pass and sent the ball to "Lighthouse" Zikic.

Zikic, who is more than two meters long, is handy with this kind of ball. He first stopped with his chest, and then easily unloaded the ball.Matthew, who was defending him, stood firmly behind Zikic to prevent the opponent from turning around and forming a breakthrough.

Zikic didn't even want to turn around. In addition to shooting, he also had a precise passing skill. With a flick of his arch, the ball passed through the right side of Francois' body and came to the open space in the center of the penalty area.

Another Birmingham striker, Marlon, rushed to the ball, and shot angrily at the ball!

The shot was fast and urgent, and the angle was quite tricky. Simonsen had no time to react, so he could only subconsciously stretch his arms and rush towards the ball.

With a loud sound of "Dang!", in the horrified eyes of all Blade fans, the ball hit the crossbar hard and bounced off the baseline.

Simonsen stared blankly at the trembling goal crossbar, secretly thankful.

Zhang Xu was speechless about the state of his teammates. In fact, as long as Francois was more active in the ball just now, the opponent's Malone would not have such a good chance to shoot.

But Zhang Xu can't blame his teammates, he can only use his active running and fighting to see if he can stop the opponent's powerful offensive, and also see if he can awaken the enthusiasm of his teammates.

When the game resumed, Zhang Xu immediately expanded his defensive range to the entire half of his side. As long as the opponent entered his half, Zhang Xu would immediately rush to intercept the opponent's attack.

Under Zhang Xu's frantic fight, Birmingham was indeed a little uncomfortable.

If this Chinese player is only good in physical fitness, then it is nothing to worry about, but unfortunately, in addition to his super physical fitness, this Chinese player is also very good in skills and tactics.

For a while, the two sides fought fiercely in Sheffield United's half. Every time when Birmingham was about to break through the gate of Sheffield United, Zhang Xu would be seen rushing to the team and clearing the football at a critical moment.

Seeing Zhang Xu's dedicated performance, all Blade fans were moved by his indomitable spirit.

As a result, Bramall Lane began to echo with neat shouts: "Come on! China Zhang! Come on! China Zhang!"

Such a neat shout, and still shouting the name of a player who has just joined the team, has never been seen in the history of Sheffield.

This means that Zhang Xu has been fully recognized by the fans!
Hearing the fans shouting his name loudly, Zhang Xu's blood was completely on fire, his running was more active, his speed was as fast as lightning, and his steals were more fierce and precise.

However, football has never been a one-person sport. Although Zhang Xu has indeed caused great troubles to Birmingham, he is still alone. His teammates are still faithfully fulfilling the tactics and tasks assigned by the head coach. No matter how hard he works alone, he cannot compete with Birmingham's strong overall strength.

In the 30nd minute of No. 12 of the game, after Birmingham's No. [-] Jodon dribbled the ball across the center line, he deliberately attracted Zhang Xu's attention, dragged Zhang Xu to the left side of the court, and then suddenly made a long pass to send the ball to the right side of the court.

Chris easily got the football, and after taking a few steps forward, before Zhang Xu returned to his defensive position, he immediately made a diagonal pass and hoisted the ball to the center of the penalty area.

There, Zikic, the "lighthouse" more than 2 meters high, was already prepared, and directly headed towards the flying ball.

Although Zhang Xu arrived in a hurry, Zikic had already hit the football first. The football hit the grass, then bounced and flew into the net!

The ball is in!
Sheffield United trails Birmingham 0:1!
(End of this chapter)